September 18, 2005
Sermon Outline
The Holy Spirit: Convicting the World
John 16:1-11
I. Another look at persecution
1. Why Christ warns us about stumbling John 16:1
2. How might we stumble?
A. By avoiding the kind of Christianity that would first kindle persecution Matthew 5:3-13
B. By failing under the fierceness of persecution Matthew 13:21
3. Note how this persecution is described:
A. Excommunication John 16:2
B. Murder John 16:2
II. Why are we not persecuted much in America much now?
1. Because of the Gospel groundwork done by those before us Matthew 13:23; Hosea 10:12
2. Because we, in a wrong way, have become friends of the world, to the point of compromising the good gospel 1 John 2:15-17
How is the gospel compromised?
A. By trying to make it palatable / by taking offensive aspects from it
B. By trying to make it popular / by adding fleshly, worldly pleasures to it
III. The Holy Spirit and a ministry to the world!
1. His ministry is that of a Helper John 16:7
A. He helps with power for ministry Acts 1:8; Acts 4:31
B. The Spirit gives a convicting ministry Acts 2:36-38
What does this convicting accomplish?
(1) Conversion Acts 2:36-38
(2) Preservation Matthew 5:13
(3) Judgment John 16:11
IV. What does the Spirit convict the world of?
1. Sin meaning the guilt of sin Romans 6:23
2. Righteousness Romans 3:10
3. Judgment due sin / Hell Revelation 20:11-15
V. How is the Ruler of this world judged?
1. By the faithfulness of Christians in spite of temptation and persecution Acts 9:51-63
2. Because of the persecution, not only brought upon Christ, but afterwards upon His followers Revelation 6:9-11
3. In this contrast provided by the persecution of innocent patient Christians, the evil of the Devil is made manifest Philippians 2:12-16
Impacting the World by Gods Spirit
It is because we abide in Christ we would be persecuted. Yet it is while abiding in Christ that we gain the fullness of His Spirit and the Spirit though us influences the world.
We may gain the love of the world by performing for it, pandering to it, making our message palatable to it and popular in it and yet for all that the world may be just as lost.
Only when we are different and that in a dramatic way, by the power of God, can we have a real difference making impact upon the world in which we live.
Zechariah 4:6 So he answered and said to me: "This is the word of the LORD to Zerubbabel: 'Not by might nor by power, but by My Spirit,' Says the LORD of hosts.
